Spyware: how do I minimise the risk of this happening?

The software suggested on this page is free for personal use but not for use on campus. Before downloading or installing this software you should read the Terms and Conditions supplied by the relevant company.

As well as protecting your files and PCs by making sure that you are up to date with all Microsoft updates for Windows and ensuring that your anti-virus is up to date, there is another threat on the Internet to be aware of: spyware.

Spyware takes many forms, but are typically programs which record your computer usage and send the information to a third party who may be unknown to you. Spyware may slow down your PC due to the extra hidden processing being carried out.

Spyware normally originates from web sites offering illegal software, also known as warez, or from those offering free pornography or films. Others may be tracking cookies monitoring your online shopping and browsing habits. Note that some cookies are useful, e.g. the AthensDA system uses a cookie to store the details of your institution to save having to enter them every time you use the system.

There are many free utilities that will scan and remove unwanted spyware from a PC. Three of the best known ones are:

• Microsoft Defender software - Defender is Microsoft solution for anti-spyware, currently it is free for use on personal and University PCs and can be downloaded from Microsoft for Windows XP SP3+ (it is already installed for you on Windows Vista/7). Full details including a link to the download for Windows XP can be found on the Microsoft website: Microsoft Defender software

• Spybot Search and Destroy
  

  This is available free for personal use only. It may not be used on University owned computers. Please see the website at www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html for more details and the terms and conditions.

• Ad-Aware by Lavasoft

   This is available free for personal use only. It may not be used on University-owned computers. Please see the Lavasoft web site for more details and the terms and conditions. You are advised to run a good anti-spyware product on your home PC, as you do not have the protection which the campus network provides.

You are advised to run a good anti-spyware product on your home PC, as you do not have the protection which the campus network provides.